AN OLD school site in York should become the city’s first “Passivhaus” carbon-free developments, Green councillors say.

City of York Council is currently looking for people’s views about the old Clifton Without Junior School site, on Rawcliffe Lane, and Green councillors want their carbon-free ambitions to be part of the plan for the land.

The buildings are on the Vale of York Academy site, but has been un-needed and unused by the school for two years. In January a sell-off deal was agreed by the city council.

Cllr Lars Kramm, Green party councillor for Micklegate, said: “We want the council to explore this option for low-energy cost, mixed-tenure housing through support from the Homes and Communities Agency.

“Passivhaus removes ‘fuel poverty’ and ensures tenants on low incomes are less likely to fall into rent arrears – social landlords elsewhere have found this to be true. There is no reason why the council cannot decide to adopt more sustainable standards.”

The ambitions have got the backing of York architect Phil Bixby, who has built a Passivhaus elsewhere in York.

He added: “The layout and orientation of the site would definitely favour a Passivhaus design which makes use of the sun both for internal heat gains when wanted and for photovoltaic installation to produce energy.

“If you’re building social housing, it is very important that people there can afford to heat it so if we’re going to start building more council houses, let’s do it properly.”

The Green’s group leader on York council Andy D’Agorne has gone one step further, saying a Passivhaus development at Clifton With Rawcliffe could be a “benchmark” for future council sites - like the former Manor School site and the old Askham Bar Park and Ride.

Cllr Kramm added that with new building techniques being developed construction with higher environmental standards does not have to be more expensive.

“There is a school in Wolverhampton with Passivhaus standards which was built at no additional cost.”

The public consultation over the site closes at 12pm on Tuesday, October 17. Email philip.callow@york.gov.uk.